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Description
Most Sunday Services at the Venice Hongwanji are hosted by the Venice Hongwanji Dharma School (Dharma School). The Dharma School is dedicated to providing a rich multi-lingual and multi-cultural religious education program founded on the teaching of Jodo Shinshu for all attendees of the weekly Sunday Service. As part of the Sunday Service, English is the primary language spoken. However, Japanese, Chinese, Sanskrit and Pali terms are also introduced as part of the service.
Dharma School classes are held following the Sunday morning services for students ranging from pre-school through high school age. There is also a Buddhist Education Committee that holds Buddhist education sessions for adults.
The teaching staff of the Dharma School is required to fulfill a rigorous 1-year training program. All teaching staff of the Venice Hongwanji Dharma School have earned the Dharma Award, which is granted by the Buddhist Churches of America.
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History
In 1955, Venice Hongwanji Dharma School activities were established. Reverend Shoki Mohri, from the Betsuin, with the assistance of Mrs. Sumiye Watari, gathered twelve students at the Fukushima residence for the first service. The first Dharma School Superintendent was Walter Kitagawa. Throughout the years, Dharma School locations have changed from the original temple, to the Venice Japanese Community Center (during the time of renovation), and then back to the temple site.
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Membership Information
To enroll Dharma School, just visit us at the temple for Dharma School service beginning at 9:30 AM on Sundays (please refer to the Dharma School Calendar for a detailed schedule.) Ask for the superintendent or any Dharma School teacher to assist you.
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Dharma School Class Assignments
Grade Teacher Location Preschool Mie Ino
Gail Yoneda
Katie RosengrantLobby Kinder/1st/2nd Julia Ueda
Judy Hopfield
Tyson AmanoSocial Hall 3rd/4th Jayme Heyl
Kelsey UedaBack of Hondo 5th/6th Janis Ozaki
Brett MorimotoBack of Hondo 7th/8th Emily Kariya Side Room High School Richard Modiano Side Room-1st Sunday -
Basic Curriculum Overview
“Namo Amida Butsu”
~Thank You For Saving Me~Grade: Topics: Preschool/Kindergarten * Introduction to gratitude. 1st/2nd * Continuation of gratitude.
* Amida embraces all of us.3rd/4th * Introduction to the concept of suffering.
* Introduction to the 18th primal vow.5th/6th * 4 Noble Truths
* 8 Fold Path
* 6 Paramitas7th/8th (Middle School) * 18th Primal Vow
* Life of Shinran Shonin
* Rennyo Shonin9th-12th (High School) * Nichijoseikatsu (Everyday Living) A video created by the 7th Grade Dharma School class in 2010:

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Good Attendance Award
Objective: To attend Venice Hongwanji Dharma School with three (3) absences or less each school year, September to August.Dharma School (DS) teachers will take attendance each DS class session. (Refer to the official DS School calendar for class session days.)
If a DS student is absent for a DS class, they may make it up (up to three missing attendances) by contacting their DS teacher and completing missing assignments.
“Extra credit” will be given to students who attend special services (Obon service, Joya-e, etc.) when there is no official class session that same day. This “extra credit” can be used to make up a missed day of DS.
Students who miss DS at Venice Hongwanji but attend DS at another temple that same day can get their absence excused with documentation from the other temple.
Good attendance awards will be presented each year at the annual Oseibo Taikai Service.
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Calendar Of Events
Please see the Temple Calendar for the most up to date Dharma School happenings!
Date Event Time MC/Oshoko Rep January 6th Staff Meeting (7th/8th) Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am5th/6th
13th Hoonko Service @ VHBT 10:00 am Oshoko: 7th/8th 20th Service, No Class Southern District Hoonko Service @ Nishi
9:30 am
10:00 amHigh School 27th Dharma School Service and Class
Sing @ VHBT Shinnen9:30 am
12:00 pmPreschool February 3rd Staff Meeting (High School/ Support Staff)
Scout Sunday Service and Class8:00 am
9:30 am
K/1st/2nd10th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 3rd/4th 17th Pet Memorial Service and Class 9:30 am 5th/6th 23rd Family Fun Night (Wii Bowling Tourney) 5:00 pm 24th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 7th/8th March 3rd Staff Meeting (Preschool) Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 amHigh School
10th Dharma School Service, no class (Sushi Sale) 9:30 am Preschool 17th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am K/1st/2nd 24th Spring Ohigan 10:00 am Oshoko: 3rd/4th 31st Staff Meeting (K/1st/2nd) Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am5th/6th
April 7th Hanamatsuri/Hatsumairi Service 10:00 am Oshoko: High School 14th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 7th/8th 21st Dharma School Service, no class (ABA Breakfast) 9:30 am Preschool 28th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am K/1st/2nd May 5th Staff Meeting (3rd/4th) Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am3rd/4th
12th Mothers’ Day Service, Group Class & Lunch 10:00 am 5th/6th 19th Gotanye Service 10:00 am Oshoko: 7th/8th 26th Memorial Day – NO Service or class June 2nd Staff Meeting (5th/6th) Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 amHigh School
9th Dharma School Service and Class
DS Picnic10:00 am
11:30 am5th/6th 16th Dads & Grads Service & Group Class 10:00 am K/1st/2nd 23rd VJCC Natsumatsuri- No Service or Class 30th Staff Meeting (7th/8th) Dharma School Service and Class
8:00 am
9:30 am3rd/4th
July 7th Obon/Hatsubon Service 10:00 am Oshoko: 5th/6th 14th Dharma School Service and Class 9:30 am 7th/8th 21st Dharma School Kids Service & Class 9:30 am High School 28th Obon Festival – No Service or Class

Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple